Philosophy

Philosophy

Description of Program

The study of philosophy attempts to develop a student’s understanding of the presuppositions underlying the main areas of human inquiry, an awareness of the range of reasonable answers to the ultimate questions individuals ask themselves, and a habit of critical reflection concerning the student’s own convictions about belief and conduct. The major is designed to permit broad interdepartmental studies and interdisciplinary synthesis. It provides a desirable background for graduate study and work in human relations, law, literature, the social sciences and theology.

In addition to the possibilities that the study of philosophy itself offers, we have much to offer as a department. Our size affords us the luxury of really getting to know our students. We take seriously Drake’s commitment to collaborative learning between faculty and students. As faculty, we value time we spend with students beyond the classroom, engaging in conversation, mentoring students, and building community.

Requirements for Major

33 credit hours.

Required Courses (18 hrs)

Introductory (3 hrs):

PHIL 21 Introduction to Philosophy

Ethics (3 hrs):

PHIL 90 Ethics

Western Traditions (6 hrs):

PHIL 104 Ancient Philosophy

PHIL 106 Modern Philosophy

Non-Western Traditions (3 hrs; any one of the courses listed below)

PHIL 064 Introduction to Buddhism

PHIL 107 China: The Way of the Sage

PHIL 111 Eastern Philosophy

PHIL 115 Contemporary Japanese Philosophy

PHIL 121 Comparative Religions

PHIL 125 Philosophy of Religion

Senior Capstone (3 hrs):

PHIL 197 Senior Capstone

Elective Courses (15 hrs)

Students have two options for completing elective credits:

Concentrate. Students who choose this option will complete all 15 credit hours in one of the following three areas of study:

Area A. Mind, Language, and Knowledge. Courses include:

PHIL 110 Phenomenology and Existentialism

PHIL 112 Postmodernism

PHIL 114 Symbolic Logic

PHIL 120 Language and Interpretation

PHIL 126 Theory of Knowledge/Belief

PHIL 128 Language and Reality

PHIL 129 Philosophy of Science

PHIL 130 Minds, Brains, and Computers

PHIL 139 Moral Truth

PHIL 140 Neuroscience and the Law

Area B. Society, Politics, and Values. Courses include:

PHIL 091 Contemporary Ethical Problems

PHIL 110 Phenomenology and Existentialism

PHIL 115 Contemporary Japanese Philosophy

PHIL 117 Health Care Ethics

PHIL 118 Feminist Ethics

PHIL 122 Aesthetics

PHIL 124 Health and Social Justice

PHIL 137 Rights and Responsibilities

PHIL 140 Neuroscience and the Law

PHIL ### Environmental Justice

Area C. Comparative Philosophy. Courses include:

REL 062 Religions of India

PHIL 064 Introduction to Buddhism

PHIL 107 China: The Way of the Sage

PHIL 111 Eastern Philosophy

PHIL 115 Contemporary Japanese Philosophy

PHIL 121 Comparative Religion

PHIL 125 Philosophy of Religion

PHIL 122 Aesthetics

Generalize. Students who choose this option will complete at least 3 credit hours in each of the three above areas of study.

Special Notes

A special topics course (PHIL 151) will count as an area course if it is designated as an area course the term it is being offered.

A non-department course will count towards the major only if a student submits a written application that explains how the course contributes to the student’s overall work in philosophy.

Individual requirement may be waived with departmental approval only if student has taken additional courses outside the major that substantially strengthen the student’s major and only if the courses waived do not weaken the student’s major experience. This should happen only in extraordinary circumstances.

Requirements for Minor

15 credit hours

Required Courses (6 hrs):

PHIL 90 Ethics OR PHIL 021 Introduction to Philosophy

PHIL 104 Ancient Philosophy OR PHIL 106 Modern Philosophy

Elective Courses (9 hrs):

At least two 100+ level courses

A student may take both PHIL 90 Ethics and PHIL 021 Introduction to Philosophy, in which case one of the courses will count as an elective credit.